THE HARBOR BILL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 29 October 1907, Page 2

THE HARBOR BILL.

PROPOSALS FOR TARANAKI. Per Press Association. Wellington, October 28. The Government's-Harbor Bill lias been circulated. The provisions relating to representation en the New Plymouth and Patea Harbor Boards are as folh:\vs: — . The New Plymouth Board is to consist of two members appointed by the Government, seven appointed by the electors of Taranaki Countv and electors of the Borough of New Plymouth (?) and persons whose names are on the electois roll of the Patea County on account of lands owned or occupied by them within the rating district described in the second schedule to the New Plymouth HarI bor Board Ordinance, 1875, Amendment

Act, 1897. The Patea Board will have one memher nominated by the Governor, two elected by the electors of Patea borough subdivision of the harbor district, one by the electors of tlie Ilawera borough subdivision, one by the electors of Hawera subdivision, one by the electors of Otaia subdivision, and one by the electors of Waverley subdivision. The Harbor Bill, while chiefly a con-

solidating measure, contains some important amendments to the existing law. One of the principal amendments provides for the election of a certain portion of the members of the Board by the electors who elect the local governing body. This provision, however,_ is to be construed subject to the provisions of any special Act'. It is also provided that in no case shall the corporate en-

tity or capacity of a Board be in any way affected by any alteration in the number or qualifications of its members, and the new proposal is that the chairman may be paid, an annual allowance up to £IOO. ' Additional • powers are given to Boards in regard to making laws. Boards are empowered to lease reserves and endowment lands, rural, or pastoral lands for any term not exceeding twenty-one years, and town lands and lands used for building purposes for any term not exceeding fifty years. Where a lease is for a term of over twenty-one years, the annual rent for the period beyond twentyone years must be at least double what it was for the

last years of the first period. When Harbor Board land is taken by the Government for public works purposes, the compensation must not in any case exceed either Jlie amount actually expended by the Board on the land in permanent 'improvements, together with the addition of 2>/ s per cent, or the value of the land at the time, whichever is the lesser amount. Among the additional powers conferred on Boards are those of erecting and maintaining freezing works and cool chambers and undertaking the duties of wharfingers or warehousekeepers.

COMMENDED IN AUCKLAND. Per Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. Opinions obtained from representative men to-day relative to the provisions embodied in the Harbors Bill/ were in general agreement with the main issues, and tlie measure was declared to be in the right direotion. Almost unanimousexception was taken, however, to the Government claiming two seats. The amount of honorarium fixed for the chairman was considered inadequate. The opinion was freely expressed that the proposed legislation would have a , good effect on harbor board administration. The confiscatory clause dealing i with the resumption by the Government ■ of reclaimed land at the original cost . plus 2% per cent interest, was condemned. 1 -